Choosing Between Music Theory and Piano: What Should You Learn First?

It’s ideal to start with both simultaneously. Learning music theory while practicing piano ensures that you understand the foundational concepts and can apply them practically. However, if you have to choose between the two, learning piano is generally more recommendable. Let’s delve into why and how to approach your musical journey.

Why Start With Piano?

Practical Application: Learning piano provides a hands-on approach to music. You can immediately apply concepts as you learn them, which helps reinforce your understanding. For example, when you learn about scales and chords, you can instantly see and hear them on the piano, making the concepts more tangible and relatable.

Foundamental Skills: Piano teaches essential skills such as reading music, understanding rhythm, and developing hand coordination. These skills are foundational for any musical endeavor. The finger movements and hand coordination required to play piano are crucial for improving your overall musical dexterity.

Motivation: Playing an instrument can be more immediately rewarding. You may find it more motivating to learn songs and see progress through tangible results. The act of playing a song or piece of music can be incredibly fulfilling, giving you a sense of accomplishment and driving you to practice more.

Integration with Theory: Once you have a basic proficiency in piano, you can more easily understand and apply music theory concepts. You can explore scales, chords, and harmony directly on the keyboard, making the theoretical concepts more concrete and applicable to your playing. This integration between theory and practice enhances your overall musical education.

The Role of Music Theory

While starting with the piano is generally recommended, familiarizing yourself with basic music theory is also important. Learning music theory without an instrument can help you develop a deeper understanding of the underlying concepts. It’s not about the instrument; it’s about grasping the theory.

A Lesson or Two Without an Instrument: To get into the head of the theory, start with a few lessons without an instrument. Music theory doesn’t know or care what you have in your hand. A triad is a triad, and a Phrygian mode can be played on any instrument. It’s essential to understand these concepts deeply before moving on to more complex topics. For instance, a natural minor scale is , and a major 11th chord is .

Personal Experience

As a musician and educator, I personally believe that starting with a few theory lessons without an instrument is beneficial. It’s off to a good start to have a clear understanding of the theories before diving into practical application. Once you have a grasp of the theory, you can apply it more effectively during your piano practice. Balancing theory and practical application contributes to a well-rounded musical education.

Explore my Quora Profile for guidance on incorporating music theory into your piano learning. For more insights into both approaches, check my Quora Profile on Music Theory vs. Practical Learning.

Conclusion

The choice between learning music theory or piano first depends on personal preferences and goals. Both are essential components of a well-rounded musical education. Starting with piano provides a practical foundation and immediate reward, while starting with music theory helps you understand the underlying concepts. The key is to integrate both areas to enhance your overall musical understanding.